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- Community Access Helps Adults with Disabilities and Teens Live Independently within the Community (CAU's Community Support Program)
- CAU Shares Success with TOP Members
- Community Access Lauds Family and Friends at 21st Annual Awards Night
- Helping Hands Self Advocacy Elects New Officers
- CAU Promotes Creative Expression
- CAU’s Quality of Life Initiative Enhances Members’ Lives
- CAU Names New Board President
- CAU Names Phyllis Mirabella to Board of Trustees
- Prudential Foundation Funds "On Your Way to the TOP" Summer Youth Employment Program for 2nd year
There are currently over 7,300 people with developmental disabilities in New Jersey who have been placed on a state waiting list for services. Almost 4,000 of these people are in the Urgent Category. CAU receives hundreds of calls a year from those desperately seeking services. Many have found hope in the services provided by CAU.
The Community Support Program (CSP) has been in operation since 1981. CSP provides supports to people with development disabilities who are on the long state waiting list for services or who do not qualify for state services. CSP provides comprehensive supports including life skills assessment and training, personal care, housekeeping, budgeting, money management, cooking, nutrition, menu planning, shopping, recreation, social events, vacation planning, medical appointments and more. Members or their families contract for services on a fee-for-service basis.
Many members of CSP are their own guardians. Some live with their families and some live on their own. Some families are very involved in the CSP program, along with the member, and some are not. If families are involved, they most often act as advocates for their loved ones, for example, questioning bills or suggesting goals.
Debbie is a member of the CAU Community Support Program. She wanted to improve her interpersonal and social skills so that she could be more of an advocate for people with disabilities. Debbie has attained her goal: as a member of the Helping Hands Self-Advocacy group she has conducted workshops at both the regional and national levels in the last year.
Michael is also a member of the CAU Community Support Program. Michael wanted to work on his budgeting and money management so that he could move into an apartment on his own. Michael worked hard developing his financial management skills. He has now found an apartment and is currently paying rent and managing his household bills with minimal assistance from CAU staff. Michael’s next goal are to improve his menu planning and nutritional intake.
Ted receives two hours per week of care through CAU. One of Ted’s big accomplishments was that he gave up smoking about 2 years ago. With the help of CAU supports, he has also improved in taking care of his personal and housekeeping needs. Ted really likes his Support Counselor.
Debbie, Michael and Ted also take advantage of the opportunities available through CAU’s Recreation and Education Program. They particularly likes going to restaurants, overnight trips, Awards Night, and other social outings.
For more information about Community Access' Community Support Program, call CAU's Information and Referral Coordinator at 908-354-3040 x272.
CAU’s Transitional Opportunities Program (TOP) provides a variety of residential services through a continuum of care to youth ages 13-21. While they are at CAU homes and apartments, the youth acquire independent living skills. CAU has several levels of care including a group home, supervised transitional living home, semi-independent living apartments and supported housing. Follow-up services are provided for up to one year. Youth who participate in TOP are called members.
The past few months have been very exciting for TOP. In February, TOP celebrated their 2nd Longevity Celebration. Twenty-six youth celebrated their longevity in TOP. All 26 youth have been in TOP for at least one year, some two or three years. This is monumental since most of the members in TOP have a long history of moving from place to place frequently because of failed placements. A year in one residence, with the corresponding stability of remaining in one school and abiding by the same house rules, is a tremendous milestone in the youths’ lives.
Also in February, the Member Action Committee held its First Annual Staff Appreciation Celebration. Two TOP members, Jessica W. and Aaron T., organized the entire event to recognize TOP staff for the work they do with them. Staff really appreciated the youth going to such efforts to recognize them.
The Member Action Committee is a group of youth who take part in structuring program policies and procedures, advocate for improving their neighborhoods and the Elizabeth educational system, and train staff on how best to work with them. For example, in the Elizabeth school system, students are not permitted to take textbooks home with them. CAU youth advocated for and achieved buying books that could be kept at their residences. They also wrote letters advocating for more policing of their neighborhood to reduce the crime rate.
Member Annaye Y. and a staff member participated in a workshop and became trainers in a violence prevention program called "Bullying Recognition and Prevention". This training is used by several police departments across the state. During the summer, Annaye will be working with staff to train other members to present the training. After other members become fully trained, they will out into the community and present the training for elementary aged groups in schools in Elizabeth.
The spring has continued to be quite awesome for members of TOP. Member Amber D. made the Principal’s List at Elizabeth High School for her grades and was also interviewed for a Star Ledger Article on successful youth. Supported Housing member Jamilla H. was also featured in an article in the paper. Nate H. tried out and made it on the Kean University football team. In April, Jessica W. was recognized as "Member of the Year" at CAU's Annual Awards Night.
Several members still are active with Division of Youth and Family Services Youth Advisory Board and with the Union County Child Welfare Reform Council. Active participation with these community-based organizations ensure that the voices of our youth are heard in Union County and New Jersey.
In June, four members will be graduating from High School. Support Counselors will be working with these members as they plan to further their education and obtain employment. More and more CAU is sharing in the successes in the lives of our youth.
More than 400 people attended CAU’s 21st Annual Awards Ceremony on April 20. They applauded and cheered as the organization honored its founder, its family of members and staff, and the community supporters who make the work of the organization possible. For more than 25 years CAU has provided support services for people with developmental disabilities and at-risk youth in Union County.
The Visionary Award was given to the late Charles Grillo and accepted by his daughters Alycia and Rosemary. Mr. Grillo, of Westfield, was on the original Board of Directors in 1980. He was motivated to increase the social, recreational, and employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities, including his daughter Alycia.
Robert Tarte, Deputy District Governor of the Union County chapter of UNICO, an Italian American service organization, joined CAU Executive Director Sid Blanchard, Associate Executive Director Mercedes Witowsky, and the Grillos at the podium to present CAU with a $2,975 grant from the UNICO foundation. The money will provide computer training for CAU members. Mr. Grillo served UNICO for many years, both on the local board and on the national Mental Health Committee.
Ann Ferguson, Executive Director of the Housing Authority for the City of Linden for the last 11 years, accepted the Citizen of the Year Award for her work arranging housing for CAU members. She was hailed by CAU Assistant Executive Director Karolina Scutari as "the epitome of selflessness." Linden Mayor John Gregorio noted Mrs. Ferguson’s "dedication" and "big heart."
John Herrmann of Mountainside was named Volunteer of the Year for his work preparing tax returns for over 100 CAU members, a service he has performed for four years. Steve Kendall, director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Union County, through which Mr. Herrmann donates his time, told the audience that Mr. Herrmann is often recognized for his many volunteer efforts.
The Target store in Clark, which employs five CAU members, was named Employer of the Year for its participation in CAU’s employment program. Konstantine (Cos) Lyperopoulos said, as he accepted the award, "It is humbling to be here and to accept an award for working with an extraordinary group of people who are like my family."
Detective Michael Kelly, of the Elizabeth Police Department, accepted the CAU Community Service Award for his work as president of the Union County Juvenile Officers Association supporting CAU’s youth programs. The Officers Association holds monthly meetings for people working in law enforcement, schools, and community service to discuss their common goal—"the youth of the community."
Outgoing CAU Board President Lewis Hurd received the Excellence in Leadership Award. Mr. Hurd has a long history with CAU. He served on the board since 1998, and as president since 2001. He first joined CAU as a job coordinator in 1990 and worked closely with the organization when he served as a community development officer at Fleet Bank.
Dan Baker, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, was named Educator of the Year for his work training CAU staff and members. Dr. Nancy Durant, of the Union County Psychiatric Center, accepted the Health Care Professional of the Year award, and Carolyn Selick, of the New Jersey Division of Disability Services accepted the Distinguished Social Service Award. All of the Community Award recipients were also presented with a resolution of Special Freeholder Recognition from the Union County Board of Freeholders by Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski.
Six CAU members—one from each of the organization’s unique program areas—accepted awards recognizing their service and achievement. Ed Kurnos, who lives with his wife Mary in CAU’s Supported Living Apartment Program (SLAP), was recognized for his volunteer work dispensing information and good cheer at CAU’s administrative offices at 80 West Grand Street. Noting that his life is "wonderful," he thanked his family, his wife’s family, and the CAU family as he accepted his award.
Jessica Williams was named Member of the Year for the Transitional Opportunity Program, which provides services such as housing and life skills training for at-risk youth ages 13-21. Jessica, who is preparing for college, recently spoke at a national conference for at-risk youth.
CAU Executive Director Sid Blanchard introduced new board president Dr. Karen Ensle, of the Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension of Union County. She told the audience that "Community Access builds support for everybody in the community one by one."
Since 1979 Community Access Unlimited has provided services for over 7,000 people with developmental disabilities. These services include housing, employment assistance, life skills training, educational and recreational programs, counseling, crisis intervention, parenting skills, and more. In 1985 the organization added a youth services component for at-risk youth. Its mission is to provide community access through effective and comprehensive support services for its members, giving them the opportunity to lead normal and productive lives as citizens integrated into the community.
CAU’s Helping Hands Self Advocacy Group began in 1984, when CAU was known as the Association for the Advancement of the Mentally Handicapped. Advocates are involved in legislative updates, letter writing campaigns, accessibility & voting campaigns, "Meet Your Candidates" events and more. They attend leadership trainings as well as state and national conferences and have conducted many professional workshops. They have conducted leadership trainings for self-advocates at countless local, state and national conferences. They network with political and civil rights leaders across the nation and have testified before various legislative committees. Meetings are held monthly and open to all people with disabilities. Helping Hands is one of the oldest and strongest self-advocacy groups in the state of New Jersey.
New officers for 2005 are:
- President: Edward Eiser
- 1st Vice President: Sharon Mohry
- 2nd Vice President: Sandra Feldman
- Recording Secretary: Joyce Cargle
- Corresponding Secretary: Christine Bongiovi
- Treasurer: Steve Agolia
- Sergeant-at-Arms: Marcella Truppa
CAU is promoting integration and opportunity in all aspects of life, including exposure to and involvement with the arts. CAU very much believes in and promotes the value of the arts as part of the lifelong process of learning. In addition to educational exposure, the arts provide a bolstered sense of self-worth and increase self-esteem. They tap into the creative expression of self and improve the quality of life.
CAU artistic goals and objectives are to create opportunities for individual creative expression, promote diversity, encourage discovery and expose persons who do not have the opportunity to different media and skills used in the visual arts. CAU has received funding from the Union County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in previous years for a member choir, production and performance of a play written by a CAU youth, and photography classes for both teens and adults with disabilities with exhibitions of their work displayed in various locations throughout Union County.
This year, CAU has partnered with Artsgenesis, a premiere arts organization serving the New York metropolitan area that has expertise in working with people that have special needs to offer courses in the visual arts. CAU is offering visual arts classes in a variety of media such as acrylics, pastels, watercolors and others. CAU is excited about being able to offer opportunities for personal expression through the visual arts to often under-exposed youth and adults with disabilities.
Although basic needs are similar for all people, everyone has different desires and personal goals. Often, people with disabilities are not asked about their life goals at all. At CAU, it is important to us to consider the whole person, no matter what the disability. CAU’s Quality of Life Initiative is a project where CAU members make choices about their lives: they make their own decisions about such things as where and how they want to live, work and socialize. Quality of Life is what makes life worthwhile beyond the basics: it is what makes an individual unique and their life enriching and meaningful. To capture what kind of life members what to live, CAU staff inquire about the choices in members’ lives. Some areas of consideration include work, family, recreation, education, creative expression, finances, romance, leisure, friendship and spirituality. CAU’s Quality of Life initiative is unique in the state of New Jersey.
Carol is a 40 year old woman who always dreamed of having a full-time job. She wanted to live close to her boyfriend of many years, rather than clear across town. She wanted to attend church with her friends. She likes to go away on vacation every year. Carol has many friends through all of the social activities in which she is involved. Carol also likes to see her parents at least one weekend a month.
Through person-center planning, CAU staff are able to help Carol meet her Quality of Life goals. Carol recently was promoted from a 10-hour a week job making calls to other people with disabilities to a 30-hour a week clerical job. Because CAU owns over 160 housing units, a vacancy came up and Carol could afford the rent in her monthly budget, she lives in the same apartment complex as her boyfriend. CAU staff assist her in managing her money so that she is able to attend the recreation events and vacation in which she chooses to participate. She has made friends at a local church and every Sunday she and her boyfriend attend services. Parishioners take turns picking Carol and her boyfriend up and dropping them off. Sometimes, they are invited to Sunday dinner. Carol has learned to take public transportation to her parent’s house, so at least one weekend a month she sees her family. It is through CAU’s dedication to this Quality of Life Initiative that makes CAU unique. We take a holistic approach to meeting the needs of our members.
Dr. Karen Ensle has been named president of the CAU Board of Trustees; she replaces Lewis Hurd, who has served in the role since 2001. For two decades CAU has developed and provided support services for people with developmental disabilities and at-risk youth in Union County. Dr. Ensle, of the Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension of Union County, has served on the CAU board nearly three years. She became acquainted with CAU through a community nutrition program she offered through the extension service.
Both former and current president note that the CAU board follows an innovative operational model. The idea, Dr. Ensle says, is that the board helps CAU look at directions for the future and develop its vision, rather than provide input on day-to-day operations. Last year, for example, CAU’s board initiated a conference that drew social service professionals from around the country to discuss how to achieve common goals, and a sequel conference is being considered.
CAU’s defining purpose, Dr. Ensle says, is to "find the people who are falling through the cracks and what services they need." Mr. Hurd says, "CAU’s philosophy is holistic; they look at the whole person." He also points out that CAU emphasizes that people advocate for themselves. "They educate members and encourage them to fight for their own rights and have their voices heard." He adds, "My involvement with CAU has been a very positive experience, and the relationship will continue."
Dr. Ensle is a registered dietician, certified in family and consumer sciences, and has a doctorate in Allied Health Education from Rutgers University. She lives in Green Pond, in Rockaway Township, Morris County, and has two grown stepchildren and two grandchildren.
Phyllis Mirabella has joined the board of trustees of Community Access Unlimited (CAU), a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and providing support services for people with developmental disabilities and at-risk youth in Union County.
Mrs. Mirabella, who is Assistant Vice President of Field Technology Services at the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies in Warren, says she is drawn to CAU’s mission. "They basically go after all those causes and people who are challenging to help," she says. She adds that she was particularly struck by CAU’s programs for youth who are leaving foster care and trying to establish lives on their own.
The self-determination of the members served by CAU also drew Mrs. Mirabella to the organization. "These folks help each other. They are working in the office, sitting on boards, and acting as advocates at the national level. How can I turn down devoting a little bit of time when they are devoting their life to it?"
With her position on the CAU board, Mrs. Mirabella extends a personal history of community service. She serves on the Union County Commission on the Status of Women and the Fanwood Recreation Committee, and she belongs to the New Jersey Association of Student Councils. She has served as a councilperson on the planning board of Roselle Park, and is currently a Girl Scout troop leader and active with the local PTA.
Mrs. Mirabella commends CAU’s organization saying, "You don’t usually see that level of organization and business savvy in a non-profit. It’s a good feeling to be associated with an organization that will be here tomorrow and in the next 10 or 20 years." Mrs. Mirabella lives in Fanwood with her husband Alexander, who is a Union County freeholder, and their children Alexander, 8, and Micayla, 7.
CAU is committed to integrating our members into society as much as possible and preparing them for the future. Entering the workforce is critical to achieving that goal –- both to maintain one’s living expenses as well as to be a contributing and productive member of society. Work can also increase self-esteem. It is something to be proud of. Youth who have part-time jobs are more likely to engage in more schooling, earn more after high school, and successfully transition to full-time jobs than those who graduate from high school without previous employment.
CAU youth will enjoy their summer learning new job skills and participating in hands-on experiences during TOP Summer Youth Employment. The "On Your Way to the Top" program offers opportunities to CAU youth to learn interpersonal and job skills so that as they move out of foster care they have employment aptitudes necessary to be productive members of society. All youth enrolled in the program have open DYFS cases or have just graduated from foster care. Job readiness addresses the competency skill areas of career exploration, interviewing skills, role-playing and proper work behavior. Social skills included positive communication, anger management and active listening.
Because of the successful partnership between the Prudential Foundation and CAU during the 2004 summer youth employment program, a total of 18 youth were provided an opportunity to participate in the On Your Way to the TOP program. Youth had the opportunity to work with the CAU maintenance department and facilities management in various capacities, Café Creations, the agency based cafeteria and catering program and the agency Information Technology department learning to diagnose and set up computers and programs accordingly. In addition, one youth was placed as a receptionist at the local Red Cross chapter and one was a receptionist at the Elizabeth Housing Authority.
Founded in 1977, The Prudential Foundation is the nonprofit grant-making organization of Prudential Financial, Inc. CAU was privileged to receive a $7,500 grant from the Prudential Foundation to help support our youth in their transition into the job market. The Prudential Summer Grants for Youth Initiative focuses on providing meaningful opportunities for youth from the targeted cities of Elizabeth, East Orange, Irvington, Jersey City, Newark, Orange, Paterson and Trenton. It provides funding for cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities for children and youth, as well as helping youth experience the world of work and learn about career opportunities through job placements.